Feeding and weighing device



Oct. 2

`J. A. NOLANy FEEDING AND WEIGHING DEVICE liegfd April 25, 192s 2 sheets-sheet 1 ATTCRNEY Oct. 2, 1923. n

J. A. NoLAN FEEDING AND WEIGHING DEVICE Filed Avril 25, 1923 2 Sheets-Shut 2 Patented Oct'. 2, 1923.'

JAMES n. Noren, or Bownas'roN, omo.

f FEEDING AND WEIGHING DEVICE.

Application led April 25, 1923. Serial lo. 6341,61?.-

To all ywhom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JAMES A. NoLAN, a cit-y izen of the United States, residing at Bowersfon, in the county of Harrisony and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful 1mprovements in Feeding and Weighing Devices, of which the following is a specification.k

This invention relates 'to feeders for use in connectionV with mine cages or dumps, and more particularly to a ing device. y f

One of the mainlobjects of the invention is to provide simple and efficient means for feeding loaded `cars onto a dump, this means being automatic in operation. A further object is to provide means so constructed and arranged asto weigh a car before the same passes onto the cage or dump, this means constituting a part of the feeding apparatus. Further objects will appear from the detailed description. Y

In the drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus as applied in connection'withv a vertically movable cage;

Figure 2 isa section taken substantially on line Qf-Qof Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-30f Fig. 1;

Figure 4 is a section taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig.k 1 showing the operating arms on the fixed sectionv of ther approach track in normal positions;

taken substantially Figure 5 is a similar view showing the positions of the operating arms when the stops are opened; i

Figure 6 is a detail top plan view showing the positions ofthe operating armson the fixed section of the approach track immediately after the trip lever has been operated and the stops on the fixed section of the approach track have been closed;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view showing how the apparatus can be applied to a rotary dump.

T e use of the apparatus will be described in connection with a tilting dump, though it will be understood that this apparatus can be used equally well in connection with any kind of` a cage or dump such as a hoist or a cage, or a rotary dump, aspiral dump, crossover dump, kickback dumpetc. While the apparatus is intended more particularly to be used for weighing the loaded cars as they are fed onto the cage or dump,`

feeding and weigh-v` Ation Gr. The approach track end of shaft l This counter-shaftyis normally longitudinal position spring 9 mountedv about the shaft andconfined between bearing blockB and a collar v10k secured about the shaft.

itl can also be used as a feeder withoutweighing of the cars. The apparatus is illustrated as used 1n connection with av dump A tiltably mounted f on a suitable support B, this dump being of a knownv type and being provided with any suitable or preferred means .for stopping andholding the carson the dump. This does not,yhowever, form a part of my invention except in sorfar yas the dump co-operates with the feeder apparatus to accomplish the purpose desired,

ower fixed sections E and F, respectively,

and a central movable section Gr which is completely detachedfrom sections E andF,

this central section Gr being mounted on a structure forming a platform H which may lbe connected to scalesof any suitable type in anyV suitable or preferred manner for weighing a loaded car supported upon sec- D is inclined toward dump A, as is the usual downwardly y feeding the cars ontofthe dump practice, for by gravity. l

A main rock shaft 1 is rockably mounted klongitudinally of approach track D and is provided, at its inner end, with a trip arm 2 from which projects a pin 3 .which extends lthrough a bracket 4` carried by dump A.

This bracket is disposed in such manner as to turn rock shaft 1 when the dump is tilted for operating the feeder Vmechanism in a manner to be disclosed y An operating arm 5 is secured on the outer 1 and is normally positioned t0 `extend beneath an operating arm 6 secure on lak counter-shaft 7 rockably mounted in bearing blocks 8 and 89 on y held in one by an expanslon coil This collar is provided with a radially disposed finger 11 through which isisecured oneend of a tension spring 12 thefotherend of this spring vbeinganchored to one rail of track section E in any suitable or preferred manner.

n Dump vAis provided with the usual rail sections which,when':the

dos

track section E.

second oollar13is secured on shaft '.7 and is l provided with diametrioally opposite narms 14 which are connected by links 15 to horns or-` stops k16 rockably mounted on stub-shafts 17 `nippone@ shearing blocks 18 secured to the outer faces of the webs of the rails of track section E, these horns being mounted for sliding movement on shafts 1T and cushioned by coil springs 19 mounted about the shafts. The horns and the mounting therefor and associated parts are well known in this art and need not be further described in detail. An angle trip lever 20 is rockablj; mounted, in any7 suitable or preferred manner, on track section E beyond or above the horns i6. The outer arm of this lever projects across the tread of the adjacent rail section so as to be displaced b v the wheel of a car trmeliner down track sect-ion E. The inner arm of lever 2O is connected by a chain 2l to a cap 22 securedion the outer end of counter-shaft 7, this cap also acting as a stop element for limiting movementof shaft i through bearing block 8'L in one direction.

A supplemeinsal rocker shaft is rock- 'ably mounted on track section G and isvconnected by links 2o and arms 2st to horns Q5 similar to horns 16 mounted on the rail SeC- tions of track section E. A. weight 2G secured to shaft and acts to normali;7 rock this shaft in a direction to close stops A control arm Q7 is secured to shatf; 22 and extends beneath a control arm 2S secured to rock shaft l.

Return of dump A to loading position after dun'iping rocks shaft l in counter-clockwise direction as considered in Fig. This brings arm QS into contact with arm 2T depressing the latter and rocking sha-ft in a clockwise direction opening horns 25 and raisingr weightv 26. This releases a loaded vcar which washeld on section Gr permitting this car to run onto dump A. iVhen the loaded earruns onto the dump the dmnp tilts into dumping position thus turning shaft l.y by means of bracket 4 and associated parts in the other direction. This rocks shaft 7, by means of arms 5 and 6, in stop opening direction opening stops 16 and permitting ay loaded car` to run onto track section G. The following Y loaded car rocks lever 20 pullingr shaft. 7 outwardlyv a sufticient distance to more arm G from directly above arm to the outer side thereof. thus releasingr shaft. 7 which is then rocked in stop closing direction by spring 1Q. This rocking of sl aft l also serves to move arm 28 upwardl)1 releasingy arm 27 and permitting stops or horns E25 to be closed by weight Q6. As will be noted more clearly from Figs. 4 and 5. arms 5 and 6 are provided withV depending portions formingr relativelyY broad surfaces at the free ends of thesearms. This prevents arm 6 from passing beneath farmf when shaft 7 is rocked into stop closing direction. it rbeing understood that turninglof this shaft in stop closing direction is poA tiv'ely limited ln; contact .of stops i6 with the rail sectfw Turning o t haftAQQ-.in stop 'closing direction is positively limited by contion the pin :l

tact of stops 25 Vwith the rails so that, duriin;r the dumping operation arm 2S is coinplctely out of contact with arm QT. This feature is of importance as, at this time, track section G is completelyv disconnected from th'e restol the feeder apparatus thus permitting accurate weighing of the loaded car on section G. Upon return of the dump to loading posit-ion, shaft l is again rocked in a counter-clockwise direction. as considered in Fig. 3. thus opening stopsl Q5 to permit the loaded car which has been weighed to run onto the dump. This rocking of the sha-ft also serves to depress arm below arm 6. at which time shaft 7 is projected by springr 9 so as to position arni 6 above arm 5, the stops 1G remainingr closed`r as in Fig. l. The dump A, is then tilted by the loaded car and the operation previ- Aouslrvv described is repeated. This provides simple and highly ellicient means wherclnY the loaded cars are cut outI ot the trip. weighed during the dumping operation. and then fed onto the dump upon return ol tluI same to loading position. Thilo l have described the apparatus as used for cighingf and feeding` cars singly. it can be readilv7 adapted to cut out and feed anyv number of cars desired by altering the positions of stops 1G and trip lever and lcngtheniner track sections F and G.

fis the cars are cut out and weighed during the dumping (nieration this appamtus` avoids .anyv loss of time in fcedinrr and permits the cars to he weighed and Fed onto the dump as fast as it can be operated. This insults in maximum capacit)r which is of irreal' importance in the use of feeders to dumps or canes.

l'n Fig. 7 l hare illustrated the manner in which the 'apparatus used willi a rotarv dump. The dump li). of anv suitable or preferred type. is provided with a guide ring` 'lfl having` a channel 3l .i'hich receives. pin R of trip arm 4r. Ring Il() is proridcd with av cam element fill disposed to more pin 3 in proper direction for opening stops Q5 as the dump comes into loadine' position. As the dump turns from loading? position. pin 3 leaves ram portion lll" of the slot and enters the main portion of slot il() so as lo be raised thereb)y and held in thisl in "i against the tension of' sprintY 1Q until `after the stops i6 have been released and closed. As the dump agrain returns to loadingr posiis depressed rockin;r shaft Vl so as to feed another Acar onto the dump. and the operation is repeated durinirr rotation ofthe dump as previousl;vv described in connection with the tiltingr dump.

lf desired. the ring R0 ma'v be replaced hv a suitable cam positioned to strike pin 2 and open stops this actingr to yrock shaft l in the opposite.direction tol open stops l6 and permit closing of stops 25 as the dump starts to turn intol dumping. position. This is an obvious modiication or vvariation of the form illustrated in Fig. 7 and need not be further described in detail or illustrated. I consider it an important feature of my invention that the stops 26 are opened by shaft 1 and associated parts as the dump is turned into dumping position with a, loaded car. In actual practice, stops l'will frequently have to' hold back heavy rtrips composed of many loaded cars, so that vgreat pressure is exerted on these stops. Under such conditions, it would be doubtful if the stops could be opened by the action of a dump returning to loading position with an empty car or cars. yBut vthis danger is avoided by having the dump rock shaft 1 in the direction to open vstops 16 when the dump is turning into dumping position with `loaded cars on the dump, due to the inertia of the loaded cars. Also, the Weight 26, which is preferably considerably lheavier than the Weights commonly used for this purpose, is of material assistance in initiating the rocking movement of shaft 1 in proper direction to open stops 16, which is also an important feature of my invention.

What I claim is 1. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination with a dump including a track section for reception of a car and an approach track leading tothe dump, said approach track including a relatively movable section, means for holding a trip of cars above the movable section, means for holding a car on said section, means for releasing thecar on said movable track section when the dump is returned to loading position after a dumping operation, said means i releasing the car holding means 'on the movable track section and permitting resetting thereof and also releasing the trip of cars above themovable section upon movement of the dump into dumping position, means for setting the car 'trip holding means, and means for disconnecting said trip holding means from the releasing means when a predetermined number of cars have been fed onto said movable tracksection.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination WithaA dump including a track section for reception of a car and an approach track leading to the dump, said approach track including a relatively movable track above the movable section, means tor closing the first mentioned stops, means for closing the second mentioned stops, dump actuated means for opening the movable section stops upon return ot the dump to loading position,` said dump actuated means releasing the movable section stops to per mit closing thereof' and opening the trip stops upon movement of the dump into section,`stops on said mov-,k able section, trip stops on the approach dumping position, and means for releasing the trip stops to permit closing thereof When a i'ircdetermined numberfof cars have been fed onto the movable track section.

In an apparatus of the character described, in combination with a dump including a track section for reception of a car and an approach track leading` to the dump, saidV approach track including a relatively movable section, stops on said movable section, trip stops on -the approach track above the `movable section, vmeans .for closing the first mentioned stops, means rfor closing the second mentioned stops, dump actuated means for opening the movable section stops upon return of the dump to loading position, said dump actuated means being completely ydisconnected from the movable section stops and opening the trip stops upon movement ot the dump into dumping position, and means for releasing the trip stops to permit closing thereof when a predetermined number of'cars have been fed onto the movable track section.

4. In an apparatus ofthe character de# scribed, in combination with a dump includand an approach track leading to the dump, said approach track including relativelv movable section, stops onA the movable secition,t-rip holding stops on the track above said movable section, means for closingthe movable section stops, means for closing the trip stops, a rockably mounted shaft extending across and detached .from the movable track section, means for turningr the shaft in ,one direction when the dump is turned into dumping position and in the other direction when the dump is returned t-o loading' position, members connected to the vshaft 'and thefmovable section stops and co-operating to open the same when the shaft is turned in the second direction, said members being completely disengaged when tbe shaft is turned in the first direction, members connected to said shaft and the trip stops and cooperating to open the same when the shaft is turnedfin said first direction, and meansl for disengaging the second mentioned menibers to permit closing ot theltrip stops after a predetermined number of cars'harve-been fed onto the movable track section. y

5. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination with a dump including a track section tor reception of a car and an approach track leading to the dump, said approach track .including a relatively movable section, stops on the movable section, trip holding stops on the track above said movable section, means for closing the movable section sto s, means for closing the tripI stops, a rockably mounted shaft extending across and detached trom the movable track section, means tor turning the shaft in ,one direction when the dump is turned into ing a track section for reception'ot' a cary ylll) diinipiiigM position and l Y when the diinip retin-ned to tion. nieinl connected to tl the norahle section stops and t to open the saine when the sli-a in the second direction. said nie eonipletel;v disenejr tiirned in t t iV M.

LLT

neeted to said shaft and the trip stop-i cooperating' to open the s he .s

:and

is turned in said first aetnated ineens for disa f mentioned ineinhers to peri it wi: si: t' rip stops alter a iiredeterinined niiniber oii i. l" v Y J-l l 4.1 mi i` 1,.. .k tais Aiaie been reo ono.- Uie inomoie iHi ii seetion.

G. in an appar the eharat scribed. in eoiibi with zn ai track. a niaiii ro roch shaiit. ,ps c traei-r. eonneetions between the Aois a the supplemental sha'tt tor Closing and opening; to

.e Ytornier in aeeoreanee with turning' oi the ineans :tor turningA sail.

in stop #losing direetion. roeliably nioiinted heroin'. t

siippieineiilr the eoiintei shaft and the second iiieiition' stops .tor ,pening and closing' ther latter aeeordaiiee with roelting ot' the latter` iiieans for rockingl the eoiinter shaft in stop .i'losinedirection. cooperating' ineinhers arriedby the inain shattand the supplemental shaft 'tor roeline the latter in stop openingdire tion when the main shaft roel-ed in one direction. eooperatinenienihers earried the inain shattand the eoiinter slia'tt t'or roekine' the latter in stop openingr dii'eei'ion when the niain slia'tt tiirned in the other diret-tion. said eoinitei sliat't havin.;` eodwise iii ,-.1inent. ineans normally holding the eoiii'iter sliattin endwise position with the -ineniber eai'ried thereb)v in operative rela-v tion to the cooperating ineinber oi the niain shaft. and ear aetiiated ineans beyond the stops Connected to the eoiini'er shatt tor re- L J if t 1.1-.7 isi-1w trattino sai( ioiintti .snuit o (..istoggafse a iiieinber lai'ried therebyY troni the Cooperating ineinher earr ed hy said the xed seetion above said inorable section. a inriii roel: sliait. ineans for normally holding' the stops on the tired track section closed. ineans tor normallyv holding the stops` on the movable se ltion elosed. means tor opening the stops on said inox-able taok seetion when the shaft rocked in one direction, said ineans beingr '.letaehed troni the parts Carried by the movable trai-i: .seetion to permit free ino'i'en'ient thereof when ilie shaft is rocked in the other direetion and the stops on said movable .seetion are elosed. ineans for opening the stops on tlnI .fixed traelt when the shalt is roelfed in said other dir etion. ind nieans tor releasing the .siope on the fixed seetion to pei-init ei( 'line' thereof when a loaded ear passes therefrom onto the niovable sertion.

S. In an apparatus of the rharaeter described. a dii Ap. an .ipproaeh iii-arl; leading thereto. lower .stops on the traek. trip hold` ingr stops above the lower siops inea i tor closing the trip holding stops. ineans for Closing the lower stops, ineansv tor openiin.r both set-s of stops. the last mentioned ineiins beingr aetiate-:l by the dnnip to open the lower stops as the dninp aiiproaehesr loading position and to open the trip holding stops after the dinnp reeeives a loaded ear and starts tin-ning into diiinpinfg position. the lower stops beingr released to pei-init elosing ot' the saine :is the diinip tiirns4 into dumping position. and means `t'or releasing the trip holdingr stops to perinit elosingf thereof after a ear has passed troni the trip herontl the trip holdingV stops.

9. ln an apparatus ot the eliaraeter described. a` diiinp. an appi'oavh track leading thereto, lower stops on the trael. trip holdinfr stops above the lower Vstops. means tor Closing the trip holding stops. nieansl t'or elosingrT the lower stops. ineans toi' opening hoth sets of stops. the last mentioned ineans being actuated by the diiinp to onen the lower stops as the diiinp approaehes loading;r position und to open the trip holding stops at'ter the dninp reeeires a loaded ear and starts tiirninirinto dumping position. the lower stops being released t-o permit elosing of the same as the diiinp turns into dinnping position, the ineans for closing the lower stops assisting in initiatingl operation of the said last mentioned means in trip holding stop opening' direction. and ineans for releasing the trip holding stops to perniitclosingy thereot` after a ear has pass-ed Vtroni the trip beyond the trip holdin;T stops.

In testimonyv whereof I atlix i115v signature. 

